So I don't think I'm alone in being underwhelmed by the PF2 Magus, but since Gish is my favorite playstyle so I want to like this and I'm trying to dissociate it from what I know the PF1 Magus is(which FYI I think was the best version of a Gish I've played in any edition), but I don't think I can while it's named the same class and it doesn't feel like it to me. So this is partly me airing my grievances as well as a chance to have a dialogue about any misconceptions I might have about this new class.
So to start, I get that some things translate poorly to this system from PF1 like spell strike so I'll give striking spell some slack there since the sliding synthesis does help it stand out some + the MAP reductions, but it doesn't feel like the same class to me and the spellcasting is the biggest issue. The PF2 class gets full spell progression, but only 4 spells. Is this considered a buff to old spellcasting? I know there aren't true 1/2 or 2/3 casters in this edition(that I'm aware of) but with only 4 spells, I am seriously concerned about the PF2 Magus's staying power once you hit mid levels. Electric Arc doesn't feel like it'll cut it when the real wizard(or hell a sorcerer) is still slinging around some of the big spells and the magus is still behind the rest of the class. I get that spell damage needs to scale to full caster progression but I feel like there must have been a better way to do it and more in line with the 2/3s caster flavor of Magus previously. Maybe some sort of full casting but limited to only heighted spells within a certain level?
And part of why I'm concerned is that it's lacking a spell recall equivalent. Getting spells back was a core part of the PF1 Magus' kit as well as swapping spells around, which you get bit of that with Standby Spell, but with such a shallow spell pool I am genuinely shocked there isn't a spell recall feat for the PF2 Magus. Again, does this come from the idea that Magus don't need to recur their best spells since now they can spam scaling cantrips? I think if there was some sort of spell recovery mechanic it would help alleviate the issues with a shallow pool, but as it is Martial Caster seems an essential pick regardless of build and I don't like that since I think for the most part PF2 has done a good job avoiding essential feats that every build should take as far as I could tell anyways.
Also a key feature of the PF1 Magus was the arcane pool & the magus arcana. Which I figured would go away as feats replaced class features and the focus pool replaced other point mechanics, that's fine. It sorta has for the old Arcane Pools basic utility being swapped for focus points for potency, runic impressions, and spell countermeasures which are all replications of old stuff but where are all the other magus arcana? Arcane Accuracy comes to mind for one. Are there feats that we just aren't privy to yet? I didn't participate in the last playtest so I'm not sure how much they hold back from test to release, so maybe I just haven't seen them yet.
So those out of my system, I can't help but feel that as it is, it's not what I was looking for. So if the Magus is a new class I'm not in love with, why shouldn't I just run a fighter with a Wizard Dedication after like 5th level or so? I'll keep a close eye and maybe I'll change my mind as they change things, but for now I think I'll be looking elswhere for my Gish Fix.
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it doesn't feel like the same class to me and the spellcasting is the biggest issue. The PF2 class gets full spell progression, but only 4 spells. Is this considered a buff to old spellcasting? I know there aren't true 1/2 or 2/3 casters in this edition(that I'm aware of) but with only 4 spells, I am seriously concerned about the PF2 Magus's staying power once you hit mid levels. Electric Arc doesn't feel like it'll cut it when the real wizard(or hell a sorcerer) is still slinging around some of the big spells and the magus is still behind the rest of the class.
A wizard or sorcerer has only one or two more spells in each of the high-level damage dealing slots. The magus has a sword with magic runes that means it does more damage than a wizard's lower level slots. (For example, level 3 vampiric touch does 21 damage on average success. When a magus loses level 3 slots, electric arc does 18 damage on an average success. Both are basic saves)
And part of why I'm concerned is that it's lacking a spell recall equivalent. Getting spells back was a core part of the PF1 Magus' kit as well as swapping spells around, which you get bit of that with Standby Spell, but with such a shallow spell pool I am genuinely shocked there isn't a spell recall feat for the PF2 Magus. Again, does this come from the idea that Magus don't need to recur their best spells since now they can spam scaling cantrips?
Yes, cantrip damage is enough for most rounds. Those four spells (and any others you pick up via items) are for those special circumstances you need effects other than damage or a big damage spike.
Also a key feature of the PF1 Magus was the arcane pool & the magus arcana. Which I figured would go away as feats replaced class features and the focus pool replaced other point mechanics, that's fine. It sorta has for the old Arcane Pools basic utility being swapped for focus points for potency, runic impressions, and spell countermeasures which are all replications of old stuff but where are all the other magus arcana? Arcane Accuracy comes to mind for one.
Arcane accuracy wouldn't stack with common buff spells or else would seriously mess with the math of PF2. Probably not a good option.
Are there feats that we just aren't privy to yet?
Yes. The printed class will have more feats available. A good exercise in playtesting is to identify feat opportunities. What else would you like to see?
So those out of my system, I can't help but feel that as it is, it's not what I was looking for. So if the Magus is a new class I'm not in love with, why shouldn't I just run a fighter with a Wizard Dedication after like 5th level or so? I'll keep a close eye and maybe I'll change my mind as they change things, but for now I think I'll be looking elsewhere for my Gish Fix.
Playtest your fighter/wizard build side-by-side with a magus! Figure out what you like about each approach and what abilities or approaches could work for the magus. What are the pain points?
Make sure to vary up your turn strategies and attack routines. Chances are that doing the same thing over and over again is not the most effective way to play.